1. Oklahoma State (10-1, 7-1 Big 12)
Not only have the Cowboys shot up the Big 12 standings, their performance of late has also sent them flying up the BCS standings. The Pokes are now at No. 6 in the BCS rankings and if they can get a win over the Sooners this weekend, they’ll find themselves in the top five.
2. Baylor (10-1, 7-1)
The Bears’ offense has posted a mere 55 total points over its last two games, which is less than the nation’s top offense was averaging, per game, prior to the mini-slump. Baylor will need to get back on track in the final game at Floyd Casey Stadium this weekend if they hope to knock off Texas and have a shot at the conference title.
3. Texas (8-3, 7-1)
Despite all the rumors about Longhorns head coach Mack Brown being on his way out, Brown continues to get results out of his injury-riddled bunch. If Texas can knock off Baylor on Saturday, and possibly even claim a Big 12 title, this season would be one of Brown’s most impressive coaching jobs on the 40 Acres.
4. Oklahoma (9-2, 6-2)
The Sooners’ season will be largely defined by the result of this weekend’s rivalry game in Stillwater. A win and Oklahoma will have overcome a turbulent quarterback situation en route to another 10-win season. A loss and the Sooners will have dropped both of their rivalry games and risk failing to get to 10 wins for the first time since 2009.
5. Kansas State (7-5, 5-4)
After dropping their first three conference games and starting the season 2-4, the Wildcats won five of their last six games and are bowl-bound. It seems no matter what the preseason expectations are, Bill Snyder’s teams never fail to overachieve.
6. Texas Tech (7-5, 4-5)
Kliff Kingsbury can’t be too upset with seven wins in his first season as a head coach, but the Red Raiders’ five-game losing streak to finish the season has to leave a sour taste in his mouth.
7. TCU (4-8, 2-7)
The Horned Frogs finally showed some promise in a close loss to Baylor last weekend, but it was too little, too late. Its 4-8 record was the worst in TCU history since 1997 and the worst ever under head coach Gary Patterson.
8. Iowa State (2-10, 2-7)
After dropping five of its first nine games by one score or less, the Cyclones finally won a close one, coming from behind to defeat West Virginia in overtime last weekend. Paul Rhoads may have saved his job in the process.
9. West Virginia (4-8, 2-7)
It’s hard to believe that the Mountaineers team that knocked off Oklahoma State back in September is the same one that lost its last two games of the season to Kansas and Iowa State.
10. Kansas (3-9, 1-9)
The Jayhawks 31-point performance in the win over West Virginia ended up being the only time this season Kansas scored 20 or more points against an FBS opponent. For a guy known as an offensive guru, Charlie Weis has really struggled in Lawrence.
